Prince William has reportedly hired the same law firm his mother Princess Diana used during her divorce from then Prince Charles to represent him and his family
Prince William has opened up in a new interview(Image: PA)
Prince William has reportedly sought the services of the law firm that represented his late mother, Princess Diana, during her divorce.
The Prince of Wales is believed to have engaged Mishcon de Reya, the same firm Diana used in her separation from then-Prince Charles, for legal counsel.
This decision marks a departure from royal tradition, as the Royal Family has historically relied on Harbottle and Lewis for legal matters, with Gerrard Tyrrell, a partner at the firm, serving as a long-standing adviser to King Charles as reported by the Mirror.
The royals’ longstanding use of Harbottle and Lewis underscores the significance of William’s choice, suggesting he is keen to differentiate himself from his father and is prepared to “shake up the status quo before palace doors”.
An insider disclosed to the Daily Mail: “William wanted to strike out on his own. He did not want to continue using his father’s lawyers. It’s as simple as that. He wants to be his own man.”
Princess Diana with the then Prince Charles in 1992(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Kensington Palace has yet to issue a statement on the matter. Anthony Julius, now the deputy chairman of Mishcon, was personally selected by Diana as her legal representative for her divorce from Charles.
He also served as one of the original trustees of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund until its closure in 2012. William suggested he aims to take a unique approach to royal duties during his chat at last year’s Earthshot Prize Awards in South Africa.
He described his style as “royal with a small r” signalling a desire to shed some of the formalities linked with the monarchy. He also expressed an intention to create an “impact” rather than simply associating his name with a multitude of charities and initiatives, starkly contrasting with the way his father King Charles and late grandmother the Queen have operated, who each have supported hundreds of patronages over the decades.
This year, the Earthshot Prize Awards are set to take place in Brazil. While Prince William’s presence at the ceremony is anticipated to be confirmed close to the event, there’s potential for him to join world leaders at a UN meeting if the dates align.
Celebrating the announcement, William shared: “2025 marks the midway point of the Earthshot decade and each year we’ve witnessed the remarkable power of human ingenuity in addressing our planet’s most pressing challenges.
“As we bring the Earthshot Prize to Brazil, a nation rich in biodiversity and environmental innovation, we are seeing fresh momentum for new ideas to create healthier and safer ways to live our lives. It is an honour to profile the people making our world a better place for us and for our children.”
William is the key figure behind the yearly environmental contest and has been present at all the award ceremonies since the inception of the initiative.
The most recent awards event took place in Cape Town last November, following ceremonies in Singapore in 2023, Boston in 2022, and London’s Alexandra Palace in 2021.
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